PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 18 and over Performance status: ECOG 0-2 Life expectancy: At least 12 weeks Hematopoietic: Absolute neutrophil count at least 2,000/mm3 Platelet count greater than 125,000/mm3 Hepatic: Bilirubin no greater than 1.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN) ALT no greater than 2.5 times ULN (5 times ULN if liver metastases present) Renal: Creatinine no greater than 2 times ULN Cardiovascular: No unstable angina, myocardial infarction, or congestive heart failure within the past 6 months Other: No grade 2 or greater neuropathy (motor or sensory) No other malignancy within the past 2 years except nonmelanoma skin cancer or carcinoma in situ of the cervix No serious concurrent infection No other medical illness that would preclude study No psychiatric disorder or other condition that would preclude study No known hypersensitivity to Cremophor EL Not pregnant or nursing Negative pregnancy test Fertile patients must use effective contraception during and for 2 months after study